310 M. A. Schneider on Ophryocystis Butschlii. 



projection might correspond with that of a large single 

 nucleus. 



However this maj be, if the sporoblast amalgamates its 

 two primitive nuclei into a single nucleus, the nucleus of the 

 spore, the latter must be regarded as soon dividing into two, 

 then into four, and in all probability into eight, in order to 

 furnish a fraction to each of the falciform corpuscles which 

 the spore contains when mature. Fig. 38, for example, may 

 be thus interpreted ; the nucleus of each pole of the spore has 

 divided and given place to two others. Their position in the 

 figure is still such that tliey constitute two pairs disposed 

 obliquely and with a certain amount of regularity. In fig. 24, 

 corresponding to the maturity of the reproductive element, 

 we easily count seven nuclei seen in optical section ; in other 

 preparations 1 have found eight. Unless therefore the nuclei 

 of the corpuscles are sufficiently elongated for each of them to 

 present a double optical section upon the opposite walls of the 

 spore, there would be eight falciform corpuscles, and in the 

 second supposition only four. Fig. 20 shows four nuclei in 

 the spore, three of which are seen obliquely or in their whole 

 length. This is sufficient to show that we cannot exclude 

 the idea that in fact these nuclei might present themselves 

 twice in the optical section of a spore. Such are the results 

 which flow directly from the examination of transparent pre- 

 parations. 



But while these phenomena are taking place in the interior 

 of the spore the cysts present externally a curious spectacle. 

 When we cut one of the Malpighian vessels gorged with 

 Ophryocystis, and all the little parasites escape into the drop 

 of the vehicle, the field of the preparation is literally covered 

 with little hemispherical caps packed into one another to the 

 number of four or five, six or seven, and often more, as if 

 they were derived from the pillage of a manufactory of caps 

 for Psorospermia3. These are, in fact, the caps of the cysts 

 of Oj^hryocystis. Fig. 31 shows a cyst such as one finds by 

 hundreds ; the slight pressure of the covering-glass has 

 sufficed to force all the outer envelopes, which are no longer 

 of use, to separate from the last-formed wall, and the cyst 

 appears with the cast skins of its successive moults. No- 

 where else, I believe, is this peculiarity presented in such a 

 degree. As will be seen, all the envelopes bore the same 

 line of dehiscence in the equatorial region. In fig. 32, which 

 is that of a much younger cyst, it would seem that there had 

 been as yet only two walls, one already withered, the other 

 the actual envelope. 



